They have said 'leave' and 'out'. Obviously, it is not for us to judge them, but once more that old saying "perfidious Albion!" hovers on our lips, and we stair in disbelief. So many connections we have created with Great Britain over 50 years, we know we will continue to go there and they come here except, maybe, it will cost them more because the pound will be weaker. Here is hoping the B. A. I * will not be put in danger.

It was fairly obvious that Scotland would vote to stay in Europe; wanting to be independent from England is still so strong and "Brexit" will give them the opportunity to set up another referendum. We have not felt the same desire in Cornwall where I was eight days ago. On the contrary, the "leave" posters were numerous in this country (Cornwall) aided a lot nevertheless by Europe for its roads. It is also true that a lot of people have come to live in Cornwall for their retirement, and finished is the time of the tin mines, and even china clay, Cornwall has faded, and when things go badly it is always necessary to find a cow to beat (scape goat), this time Europe.

We will continue to go there however because a lot of our roots are there, and the way in which we were welcomed in St Day, Kea, Sclerder, St Neot.... tells us we are brothers, and it is so important for us, as for them (the Cornish), to nurture these connections that bring our countries closer one to another. The seperation of "Brexit" will not reach the depths of our hearts, and borders are for being crossed!

15.7.16

Michael Foster, a former Labour parliamentary political candidate (PPC) whose family have donated £400,000 to the party, said that he would be challenging Corbyn’s right to automatically appear on the ballot in the leadership race.

Foster is not without a history of public confrontations himself. In 2015, he was accused of bombarding a fellow PPC with a tirade of abuse at a hustings in Cornwall. He was reported to have launched at Mebyon Kernow candidate Loveday Jenkin, saying “You c***. If you pick on me again I will destroy you”, after she questioned him about his potential bias towards the proposed “mansion tax”, owing to the fact he owned two homes, both worth over £1m.

10.7.16

Why Civil Resistance Works | Erica Chenoweth: Though it defies consensus, between 1900 and 2006, campaigns of nonviolent resistance were more than twice as effective as their violent counterparts. Attracting impressive support from citizens that helps separate regimes from their main sources of power, these campaigns have produced remarkable results, even in the contexts of Iran, the Palestinian Territories, the Philippines, and Burma.

Wise words from what appears to be an American of Cornish ancestry. With Cornwall entering a period of great uncertainty and danger, and the UK in flux perhaps now is the time for action.

Paul Salvesion asks: Is London the problem? | Chartist Magazine: But we need to look beyond short-term political expediency, even if it is a principled expediency. The UK is falling apart and it will never be the same again. The choice is between a narrow, intolerant ‘Little England’ (dragging along an increasingly reluctant Wales and hostile to Scotland and Ireland) or a progressive Federal Britain with a resurgent Scotland and Wales, Ireland (north and south) working as equals with London, Cornwall and the English regions. We must agree a new settlement which re-balances these isles in a way that ensures each flourishes in a mutually-supportive federation, which isn’t afraid of playing an active part in the world beyond our shores – which must include Europe, but go further. Progressive politics in Britain has much to learn from neighbourhood-based community politics in the USA, but also in Africa, south America and Kurdistan (amongst many other places).

The dust is finally settling on the events of 23rd June, and time for reflection is here. I would state now that these are my views alone.

I voted to Remain in the EU. I am proud that I did that. I believed then and still believe now that the UK was better off in the inefficient but reformable bloc than isolated outside. The experts that the Brexiters demonised got the first bit right - £120 Billion wiped off shares, shares that your pension companies invest in and need to see doing well to make money for your retirement - The £ Stirling dropping 9% meaning that those of you going on holiday outside the UK will find you will get less currency for your money - the exchange rate will mean, as we buy oil in $ Dollars, that fuel prices will rise in the coming days - just today a lady was verbally assaulted in Callington by two racist men shouting all sorts of profanities, at a woman who was born here and pays taxes here - and many more examples. However this was not shared by 52% of the 70% who voted and we are on our way to, what do they call it...., oh yes "Getting our Country Back".

Now Mr Farage, who interestingly opposed a parliament that was elected on proportional representation which enabled his party to get 27 MEPs in favour of an un-democratic Westminster where his 3.9 Million votes at the 2015 general election got him just one seat, and the second chamber is neither elected or accountable, says that this has been a revolution - without one bullet being fired. This has been challenged by many following the dreadful murder in Yorkshire although it is important to state that this cannot really be answered until the court case has completed. Whilst it is not right to fling accusations about until the investigations have been complete, neither is it right to make claims that he made without this case being brought to a conclusion.

What is clear though, is that the 'project fear' that elements in the Leave camp used, fear of foreigners, fear of the EU, Fear of experts, gained traction with a large section of the population. What is worrying is that across Europe, fascists and neo-nazi groups are celebrating the vote - the Fascist Front National in France's leader Marine Le Pen is using the Union flag on her Twitter feed.

In Cornwall the vote was effectively 56/44 in favour of Leave - which is quite a surprise given the support that the EU has given Cornwall, certainly compared to the almost total lack of support from Westminster. This money, up to some £1 Billion so far, includes some €500 Million that we were granted in 2014 due to the London Government's inability to properly support the people of The Duchy - including the farmers and the fishermen incidentally.

Already, in the first 24 hours we have seen the leader of UKIP rowing back from the "promise" of £350 Million to fund the NHS - he said he didn't agree with using it but how strange that he did not say that during the campaign?? Some of his supporters have made it clear that they support the dismantling of the NHS and replacing it with private health insurance.

When Mr Johnson visited Truro during the campaign he made numerous pledges to the people of Cornwall over replacement funding for the economic development of the Duchy, support for the Farmers and support for the Fishermen. Now some 'experts' suggested he was promising the same money for this as he was going to spend on the NHS.

Sadly this vote was taken in haste but for all of us, we may well live to regret our decision at leisure....

It is vitally important now for all those who did not believe or trust what these people said to join together to hold to account those who will take over running the UK government in these trying times, and those politicians locally who supported them, both at Cornwall Council and Town and Parish Council level, and ensure they are challenged as and when, and I fear it will be when, the promises made by these individuals and organisations are found wanting.

In May 2017 there will be elections to Cornwall Council and Parish and Town Councils. Now more than ever we need to elect people who are going to fight for justice for the people of Cornwall, ALL the people of Cornwall and not be swayed by what their political masters in Westminster say. Mebyon Kernow are looking at candidates across the Duchy. If you think it is time to Walk the Walk rather than just Talk the Talk then contact me and we will have a chat.

Andrew Long, Mebyon Kernow Councillor for Callington & Deputy Leader of the group on Konsel Kernow

2.7.16

1.7.16

Could England (plus its two lap dogs Wales and Cornwall) leave the EU but the rest of the UK, Scotland and Northern Ireland, stay?

How's this for a plan? Loath as I am to say it, perhaps our only option is the creation of an English parliament (England and Cornwall). This would be created as a part of a settlement for the UK as a whole with fully federal parliaments in Wales, Scotland and NI. Each parliament would have a large degree of autonomy including over things such as EU membership.

There is already an almost precedent with the UK's protectorates and dependencies such as the Isle of Mann, Jersey and Guernsey. Currently, under the dominion of the British Crown / UK government, these territories are NOT part of the European Union. Could an England (and Wales) within a federal UK be given a similar status - a state in the UK federation but outside the EU?

At a later time such a system would allow member states of the federation to either leave or join the EU with greater ease. Aspiring territories such as Cornwall would also be free to hold a referendum on becoming a fully fledged state within the UK federation - in or out of the EU.